This is a rather uncommon feeling, you know, having a coming up release from The Cure and not being at least a little shaked up about it.

But really, remixes never really excited me in the first place, then, from other artists? Then, putting it there where the NEW ALBUM should be? Then… Then I listend to the preview and, well it sounds more like a “messed-up” version than a “mixed-up” version, to me. And I patheticly still going to buy it, because it got the right name on it.

But all the excitement is saved up for the real thing. For 4:13 Dream.

Related posts:

1. Ok, the 4 singles: live versions vs studio versions
2. The Cure and this late, inexplicable flow of things

So, here’s what I think.

The Only One:

This one really surprised me. The studio version sounded different than the live version I got familiar with during the beginning of the 4Tour, only, in a better way. I mean, I already liked it live, but the studio version really got me into it. And it did what I expect a good Cure song would do: grow up on me and never ever stop doing so.

With the listening, the vibe just got better and better. And the song seemed filled with a more natural energy than in previous records (with Robert sounding more spontaneous in his singing, I’d say). So, surprised, in the good meaning of the word. And expectations about the upcoming album rised up, of course they did.

Freakshow:

Yeah, Freakshow. Listening it live, I really thought – like most of the people out there – that it just sounded… weird. To me, it kind of didn’t make any sense. And the strangest thing was, Robert seemed very much into it, from the very first time they played it live, while everybody else was: huh? And a bigger “what?” came out when I’ve known it would be the next single out of the upcoming album. Even when I heard it live in Barcelona and Antwerp it didn’t do anything to me.

But. Yeah, ther’s a “but”. The “but” is the fact that the moment I listened the preview on the official website, and I felt that I might really like it, eventually. And I did.

Again, the studio version sounded much more better than the live version. And expectations for the upcoming album got higher and higher. I now totally love Freakshow, it’s weird and nice and funny, and the best thing is that it makes you wanna dance like Robert does when he performs it live. And I somehow appriciate the live version much more than I did before the release of the single. And Porl’s guitar is so special and great on that song. Mmm… Way to go, way to go.

Sleep When I’m Dead:

The first couples of live versions I’ve heard from this song were from poor audience recordings, and it always kills me when a brand new Cure song comes out and you can only hear it through bad quality, beacause you can’t really get the overall feeling of the song. That said, Sleep When I’m Dead sounded interesting (not only for the title, but the song itself as well).

To me it sounded simple and kind of classic (not Cure-classic, I mean rock-classic, in somesort of way, don’t know…). Then I guess I’ve put my hands (ears) on some better quality recordings, and the song start growing on me. Like for Freakshow, I was surprised when I learned it would be a single. But I liked the idea of the band releasing a “rock” single. And because of the growing with the listening and because of the live version I listened in New York, and because of the previous singles studio version good surprises compared with live versions, I’ve really start looking to hear the single. And? And I got disappointed.

I mean, already from the intro it felt different than I expected (I know, damn expectations, you just can’t get rid of them, can you?). The disturbing thing was: what with the echoes? It felt too “unnatural” to me. And also, the “start of music” right after the “intro” with all the the guitars and drums and bass and all, felt too gentle, while for the time before the release I was imagining it would blast everything away. Also, the tempo was different (the tempo, right?) and, I know, live versions are often speeded up comparing to studio versions, but the thing is that because of the experience with the two previous singles, I was waiting for something better. And it wasn’t. To me, at least. I don’t know, the song is not “unleashed” like the live version is. And the overall sound feels different then the other two singles (and b-sides). Robert’s voice hasn’t got the same spontaneity I mentioned earlier. But then again, I (unconsciously, I suppose) stopped listening to the live version and in a way “forced” the studio version in. And it’s not so bad in the end. I like the song (except the echo effect for the intro, still don’t like that, too artificial).

The Perfect Boy:

First of all, I totally dispise the “can’t-Robert-find-original-titles-instead-of-picking-up-from-already-released-songs” bitching around. I mean, I LOVE Robert to play around with his own art. Yeah, “Why Can’t I Be You?” and “Why Can’t I Be Me?”. I found it excellent (I could go on about this, but, different subject). So, “The Perfect Girl” and “The Perfect Boy”. Does this need to be considered as a lack of originality (we’re talking about Robert Smith, come on…). I just find it fun. Anyway, tiltle beside…

When I first heard The Perfect Boy from a YouTube video of a live performance, I played it on and on for the whole day. It was a eally simple and a really nice song. I never know how to define this feeling I have with some Cure songs at the first listening: like if I already heard it but from another life and time (sorry, I tried…). Anyway, I got THAT feeling thing, whatever it is, and it makes me feel good. Because of the liking the song very much, and because of the previous disappointment with Sleep When I’m Dead, I didn’t get my hopes too high for the studio version of the song. And sadly, I must admit that I was right not to do so. Yeah, again, the production kind of kills the highlight moment of the song, the part I felt in love with with the live version, you know, when the second chorus (?) starts (Oooooh… girl, he’s not the one for sure – Oooooh… girl, he’s not so wonderful, …) and the sound gets more upbeat. THAT part I loved it live. The studio version killed it a little (too much). And again, I don’t seem to appreciate the echos for Robert’s voice. But I still love it, I still do. Just… thought it would sound better than the live version, like The Only One and Freakshow. That also makes me think… Are the album version going to sound different than the Mix 13 versions? I know this was already debated here and there on forums (I just dind’t follow it…).

Summing it up: The first two singles (The Only One, Freakshow) surprised me in a good way. Got more than expecting.

The last two (Sleep When I’m Dead, The Perfect Boy) disappointed me a little, comparing to what I imagined they would sound in my head. Still great, but with a “but”.

Related posts:

1. Why can’t you be me? This time is Brian Molko who gets to play with it.
2. Robert post: New single, Remixes, DVD!.
3. About Dinosaur Jr’s acoustic version of Just Like Heaven (and more…).